#Chapter 84 Missing in Action

Kaine My head pounds as I think of what to do about Ember. None of the guards I’ve considered promoting to Captain have my trust, but I can’t trust her anymore either. I replay my earlier conversation with Jake, considering his words. He seems to think that Ember was right to order the mission, even after I told her to wait. She was able to successfully surprise the estate, I can’t deny that. I sigh and lean back in my chair. Why hadn’t she just waited? All of this could have been avoided if she had given me more time. I would have agreed to another estate visit eventually, probably. I groan in frustration. As it stands, I can’t allow her to maintain her role as Captain. She had disobeyed me. More than that, I reprimanded her in front of the other guards she brought on the mission. Word spreads fast at the palace. I’m sure every guard at the palace is now aware of her misstep. If I let it go, I will seem weak. My stepmother’s slander has been garnering more attention than